REVIEW
✭✭✭☆☆ 3/5
THE OFFICIAL TAKE THAT MUSICAL
GREATEST DAYS
FURTHER DATES ANNOUNCED
20 – 24 June
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
✭✭✭☆☆ 3/5
THE OFFICIAL TAKE THAT MUSICAL
GREATEST DAYS
FURTHER DATES ANNOUNCED
20 – 24 June
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Just to clear up any confusion, The Official Take That Musical, Greatest Days, was initially called The Band. However, it appears that some audience members were under the illusion that they would be seeing ‘the band’ whether that be the actual Take That (highly unlikely really) or performers playing the roles of Take That band members, but of course that was not the case. To avoid disappointment, a more realistic title has been given to what is, essentially, a juke box musical, using the music of possibly one of the hugest bands of the nineties, Take That, to accompany a storyline that could easily resonate with anyone who followed a band as a teenager as religiously as the girls portrayed in Greatest Days.
Popular tv performers and singers, Kym Marsh and her daughter, Emilie Cunliffe, take on the lead roles of Rachel and young Rachel in the show.
The musical begins with the four girls as sixteen year olds, who all have one thing in common - they are all the absolutely hugest fans of The Band. The Band encompasses and infiltrates their every day lives to the point that it’s almost like they are living their lives with them. The girls live and breathe The Band, copy their dance moves and feel every emotion of the lyrics of The Band’s songs as their own lives parallel with their heroes. Love, break-ups, tragedies and triumphs all feature and Take That’s music, predominantly written by songwriting genius Gary Barlow, certainly packs the power to punch out every dramatic moment.
A Million Love Songs, Back for Good, Never Forget, Shine and These Days are all featured and are performed by The Band which consists of Kalifa Burton, Jamie Corner, Archie Durant, Regan Gasgoine an Alexander O’Reilly. The boys really have their work cut out, not only in producing wonderful harmonies and energising dance routines, but also in having to shift the somewhat bland set and scenery throughout - poor loves.
Outside of their love for The Band, the girls all have different dreams for their future. Heather (Kitty Harris) has desires to be a fashion designer, Zoe (Hannah Brown) is set to go to University, Claire (Mari McGinlay) has ambitions to win the Olympics with her diving skills, Rachel (Emilie Cunliffe) just simply wants to settle down and get married and have Debbie (Mary Moore) as her bridesmaid. However, a tragic incident breaks the girls apart and it’s not until they reunite some twenty years later, that they discover whose plans have been successful.
The storyline is a little flimsy to say the least and there are huge chunks of cheesiness within the script, some not even worthy of a groan, let alone a giggle but there are saving graces with characters such as Every Dave played by Alan Stocks and Jeff, nicely portrayed by Christopher D Hunt. Jamie-Rose Monk who plays grown up Claire probably gets the first proper laugh of the night as she turns up at the airport to be reunited with the other girls after not seeing each other since they were sixteen and gives a nice natural performance.
The second half of the show picks up the pace a little more and a highlight is the fabulously choreographed The Flood number with all the cast performing. In fact, all the songs and choreography are brilliantly executed by the boys in The Band and any Take That fans coming to see the show will certainly not be disappointed. That said, you don’t have to be a dedicated fan to appreciate this show. Although the opening night at the Cliffs Pavilion was unusually not full to capacity, you wouldn’t have known by explosion of whoops and cheers from the audience as the show reached its climax.
The Official Take That Musical, Greatest Days, written by Tim Firth and with the music and lyrics of Take That is on all this week at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.
Tickets available from www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Review: Kim Tobin
Popular tv performers and singers, Kym Marsh and her daughter, Emilie Cunliffe, take on the lead roles of Rachel and young Rachel in the show.
The musical begins with the four girls as sixteen year olds, who all have one thing in common - they are all the absolutely hugest fans of The Band. The Band encompasses and infiltrates their every day lives to the point that it’s almost like they are living their lives with them. The girls live and breathe The Band, copy their dance moves and feel every emotion of the lyrics of The Band’s songs as their own lives parallel with their heroes. Love, break-ups, tragedies and triumphs all feature and Take That’s music, predominantly written by songwriting genius Gary Barlow, certainly packs the power to punch out every dramatic moment.
A Million Love Songs, Back for Good, Never Forget, Shine and These Days are all featured and are performed by The Band which consists of Kalifa Burton, Jamie Corner, Archie Durant, Regan Gasgoine an Alexander O’Reilly. The boys really have their work cut out, not only in producing wonderful harmonies and energising dance routines, but also in having to shift the somewhat bland set and scenery throughout - poor loves.
Outside of their love for The Band, the girls all have different dreams for their future. Heather (Kitty Harris) has desires to be a fashion designer, Zoe (Hannah Brown) is set to go to University, Claire (Mari McGinlay) has ambitions to win the Olympics with her diving skills, Rachel (Emilie Cunliffe) just simply wants to settle down and get married and have Debbie (Mary Moore) as her bridesmaid. However, a tragic incident breaks the girls apart and it’s not until they reunite some twenty years later, that they discover whose plans have been successful.
The storyline is a little flimsy to say the least and there are huge chunks of cheesiness within the script, some not even worthy of a groan, let alone a giggle but there are saving graces with characters such as Every Dave played by Alan Stocks and Jeff, nicely portrayed by Christopher D Hunt. Jamie-Rose Monk who plays grown up Claire probably gets the first proper laugh of the night as she turns up at the airport to be reunited with the other girls after not seeing each other since they were sixteen and gives a nice natural performance.
The second half of the show picks up the pace a little more and a highlight is the fabulously choreographed The Flood number with all the cast performing. In fact, all the songs and choreography are brilliantly executed by the boys in The Band and any Take That fans coming to see the show will certainly not be disappointed. That said, you don’t have to be a dedicated fan to appreciate this show. Although the opening night at the Cliffs Pavilion was unusually not full to capacity, you wouldn’t have known by explosion of whoops and cheers from the audience as the show reached its climax.
The Official Take That Musical, Greatest Days, written by Tim Firth and with the music and lyrics of Take That is on all this week at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.
Tickets available from www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Review: Kim Tobin
Adam Kenwright is delighted to announce new tour dates for The Official Take That Musical - GREATEST DAYS, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. GREATEST DAYS celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK Number 1 single Pray.
Further dates have been added in cities such as Canterbury, Norwich, Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, Truro, Leicester, Aylesbury and Sunderland.
Casting and further dates to be announced.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful bands in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 Number 1 hits in the UK. Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at Number 2 & Number 1 respectively. Third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three Number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III, which was certified platinum. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey, a greatest hits album, which reached Number 1, and a UK and European stadium and arena tour.
Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most beloved award-winning writers and composers in film, television and theatre. His extensive theatre credits include the Olivier Award winning musical Our House (West End), the UK Theatre Award-winning This is My Family (Sheffield Crucible), the MEN Award-winning Neville’s Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination) and Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) which broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the WhatsOnStage Best Comedy Award. Tim collaborated with lifelong friend Gary Barlow on Calendar Girls The Musical which had a successful run in the West End and then toured the UK and Ireland, winning a WhatsOnStage Award and receiving several Olivier nominations along the way. Tim’s film credits include Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots. Recently, Tim co-created and directed Gary Barlow’s one-man show A Different Stage currently touring the UK following a sold-out West End run.
The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.
GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots).
GREATEST DAYS was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19.
Website: greatestdaysmusical.com
Facebook: @GreatestDaysMusical
Twitter: @Greatest_Days
Instagram: @Greatest_Days
Further dates have been added in cities such as Canterbury, Norwich, Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, Truro, Leicester, Aylesbury and Sunderland.
Casting and further dates to be announced.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful bands in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 Number 1 hits in the UK. Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at Number 2 & Number 1 respectively. Third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three Number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III, which was certified platinum. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey, a greatest hits album, which reached Number 1, and a UK and European stadium and arena tour.
Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most beloved award-winning writers and composers in film, television and theatre. His extensive theatre credits include the Olivier Award winning musical Our House (West End), the UK Theatre Award-winning This is My Family (Sheffield Crucible), the MEN Award-winning Neville’s Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination) and Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) which broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the WhatsOnStage Best Comedy Award. Tim collaborated with lifelong friend Gary Barlow on Calendar Girls The Musical which had a successful run in the West End and then toured the UK and Ireland, winning a WhatsOnStage Award and receiving several Olivier nominations along the way. Tim’s film credits include Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots. Recently, Tim co-created and directed Gary Barlow’s one-man show A Different Stage currently touring the UK following a sold-out West End run.
The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.
GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots).
GREATEST DAYS was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19.
Website: greatestdaysmusical.com
Facebook: @GreatestDaysMusical
Twitter: @Greatest_Days
Instagram: @Greatest_Days
2023 TOUR SCHEDULE
20 – 24 June Southend Cliffs Pavilion 0343 310 0030
www.southendtheatres.org.uk On sale 11 November
27 June – 1 July Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre 029 2063 6464
www.wmc.org.uk
3 – 8 July Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre
10 – 15 July Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
17 – 22 July Wolverhampton Grand 01902 42 92 12
www.grandtheatre.co.uk
24 – 29 July Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
31 Jul – 5 Aug Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787
www.marlowetheatre.com On sale 21 November
7 – 12 Aug Norwich Theatre Royale 01603 630 000
www.norwichtheatre.org On sale 24 November
15 – 19 Aug Blackpool Opera House 0844 770 0593
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk On sale 11 November
21 – 26 Aug Glasgow Kings Theatre 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow On sale 16 November
28 Aug – 2 Sep Edinburgh Playhouse 03330 096 690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/ On sale 16 November
11 – 16 Sep Bristol Hippodrome 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome On sale 16 November
26 – 30 Sep Southampton Mayflower Theatre 02380 711 811
www.mayflower.org.uk On sale 17 November
9 – 14 Oct Brighton Theatre Royal 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/Brighton On sale 16 November
17 – 21 Oct Truro Hall for Cornwall 01872 262 466
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk On sale 23 Jan 2023
23 – 28 Oct Leicester Curve 0116 242 3595
www.curveonline.co.uk
7 – 11 Nov Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 0844 871 7615
www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre On sale 16 November
14 – 18 Nov Sunderland Empire 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire On sale 11 November
21 – 25 Nov Leeds Grand Theatre 0113 243 0808
www.leedsheritagetheatres.com On sale 23 November
Further venues to be announced
*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge
20 – 24 June Southend Cliffs Pavilion 0343 310 0030
www.southendtheatres.org.uk On sale 11 November
27 June – 1 July Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre 029 2063 6464
www.wmc.org.uk
3 – 8 July Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre
10 – 15 July Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
17 – 22 July Wolverhampton Grand 01902 42 92 12
www.grandtheatre.co.uk
24 – 29 July Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
31 Jul – 5 Aug Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787
www.marlowetheatre.com On sale 21 November
7 – 12 Aug Norwich Theatre Royale 01603 630 000
www.norwichtheatre.org On sale 24 November
15 – 19 Aug Blackpool Opera House 0844 770 0593
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk On sale 11 November
21 – 26 Aug Glasgow Kings Theatre 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow On sale 16 November
28 Aug – 2 Sep Edinburgh Playhouse 03330 096 690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/ On sale 16 November
11 – 16 Sep Bristol Hippodrome 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome On sale 16 November
26 – 30 Sep Southampton Mayflower Theatre 02380 711 811
www.mayflower.org.uk On sale 17 November
9 – 14 Oct Brighton Theatre Royal 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/Brighton On sale 16 November
17 – 21 Oct Truro Hall for Cornwall 01872 262 466
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk On sale 23 Jan 2023
23 – 28 Oct Leicester Curve 0116 242 3595
www.curveonline.co.uk
7 – 11 Nov Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 0844 871 7615
www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre On sale 16 November
14 – 18 Nov Sunderland Empire 0333 009 6690
www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire On sale 11 November
21 – 25 Nov Leeds Grand Theatre 0113 243 0808
www.leedsheritagetheatres.com On sale 23 November
Further venues to be announced
*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge